Nancy R. Shepler

Nancy R. (Turner) Shepler, age 85, passed away peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus on the morning of November 17, 2025. Married to her husband, Lowell E. “Shep” Shepler, for 62 years, they raised 4 amazing children together right here in Ft. Wayne where they’ve lived since 1973.

Nancy’s gift for serving others shone brightly in every season of her life. She poured her heart into her church. She faithfully led the Family Ministries Coordinator position at Faith Baptist for many years and joyfully volunteered as a Study Connection tutor for Fort Wayne Community Schools. In the bustling kitchen of the winter Upwards basketball league, Nancy coordinated volunteers and concessions for the kitchen. Service wasn’t simply something she did; it was a reflection of who she was.

A passionate reader, Nancy loved reading her Bible, Christian books and daily devotionals, which she never hesitated to apply to her life and offer support to her children and grandchildren. Nancy visited the Georgetown Branch of the Allen County Public Library each week, often leaving with a new stack of books and a spark of excitement in her eyes. She kept meticulous journals of every title she read—authors, notes, and summaries—charting the many worlds and adventures she explored through the pages. Even when she could no longer make the trip herself, she lovingly sent her daughters or husband with a list in hand, eager for the next story that could lift her spirit and carry her imagination someplace new.

Nancy dearly loved her family, and her kitchen table was the heart of that love. It was where meals were shared, stories were told, games were played, and laughter rang out—laughter made unforgettable by her bright smile and warm, joyful presence. She found joy in the simplest moments together, and those moments became the memories her family will always cherish.

Her grandchildren held a special place in her heart, each one known, celebrated, and loved in their own unique way. Whether through handwritten letters, texts, Facebook messages, phone calls, or cherished in-person visits, she nurtured a bond with each grandchild that was profoundly personal and deeply enduring. To them, she was “Gaghy”—a name spoken with love and a symbol of the limitless, gentle, unconditional affection only a grandmother can give. Her love for them is a lifelong gift, and one that will continue to guide them through every chapter ahead.

Nancy is survived by her devoted husband, Lowell; children, Margo (Shepler-Graf) Dye; Brian (Cindy) Shepler; Bruce Shepler; and Karen (Greg) Bulmahn; grandchildren, Jordan Graf; Chelsea (Tristan) Graf-Langwinski; Katherine Shepler; Clayton Shepler; Sarah-Caroline Shepler; Abigail (Ben) Arruza; Nolan Bulmahn; Kalyn Bulmahn; and great-grandchildren, Camille Langwinski and Carmine Langwinski.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Faith Baptist Church, 4600 Trier Road, Ft. Wayne, IN, 46815. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Allen County Public Library – Georgetown Branch – in Memory of Nancy Shepler: https://tinyurl.com/42bm3nv3, or to Our Daily Bread ministries, a daily devotional which Nancy read daily online: https://www.odbm.org/